Voting will end today for the Hank Aaron Award and Milwaukee Brewer Ryan Braun is in the running for the second straight year. Braun is up against players like Jay Bruce of the Reds, Andre Ethier of the Dodgers, Carlos Gonzalez of the Rockies and Matt Holliday of the Cardinals for the National League award.
"Named in honor of one of the greatest hitters and competitors of all-time, the Hank Aaron Awards recognize each league's best all-around offensive performer," Commissioner Bud Selig said. "Hank's career will forever remain a model of excellence and consistency, and I am glad that the 30 club nominees are following the example of a pillar of our game."
Your vote will be counted alongside those of a special panel of Hall of Famers -- personally selected by Aaron himself. Tony Gwynn, Paul Molitor, Joe Morgan and Robin Yount combined for 12,119 hits, 888 homers and 4,984 RBIs, and they all agreed to lend their expertise.
The award, which is officially sanctioned by MLB, has recognized the most outstanding offensive performer in each league since it was established in 1999 -- commemorating what then was the 25th anniversary of Aaron passing Babe Ruth with his 715th career homer. At the time, it was the first new major award introduced by MLB in more than 25 years.
